Auburn coach Gene Chizik had a clause removed about suspending pay in investigations that previously got taken out of Tony Barbee's unsigned contract.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- Gene Chizik's contract no longer stipulates that an investigation triggered by Auburn, the SEC or the NCAA gives Auburn the right to suspend his pay during that period. Auburn's football program has been investigated by the NCAA in recent months.

That's one of several changes located in the fine print of Chizik's contract that Auburn released today. Chizik, fresh off winning the national title, becomes one of the highest-paid coaches in the country with a guaranteed annual salary of $3.5 million.

Paragraph 13(d) of Chizik's previous contract included this clause about investigations over alleged rules violations:

"In the event an investigation is instituted by Auburn, the SEC or the NCAA into alleged major rules violations or significant or repetitive violations involving Coach and/or the football program, during the pendency of the investigation, University shall have the right, after written notice to Coach, to suspend payment of any amount owed to Coach under Paragraph 15 or 16. If, at the conclusion of any such investigation, it is determined by the University and the NCAA that no major rules violations occurred in connection with the football program, any payments due to Coach under Paragraph 15 and Paragraph 16 but previously suspended will be paid by University within thirty (30) days with interest at a rate equal to the Auburn University Cash Pool Earnings Rate."

Paragraphs 15 and 16 refer to Chizik's payment for personal endorsement rights, personal appearances and media rights, which totaled $1.4 million of the guaranteed $2.1 million from his old contract. Those sections now account for $3 million of the $3.5 million guaranteed.

In Chizik's new contract, Paragraph 13(d) about suspending pay was replaced with this clause:

"Coach agrees he will comply with Southeastern Conference Rules and be bound by and comply with the enforcement, penalty, and other disciplinary provisions and procedures of the NCAA and of the Southeastern Conference, including but not limited to the provisions of Article 4 of the Southeastern Conference Constitution and the Southeastern Conference Bylaw 19.8."

Article 4 and Bylaw 19.8 include the duties and powers of the commissioner, in particular relating to the SEC's compliance program. No specific penalties against coaches are outlined in the SEC bylaws.

As reported earlier by Auburn bureau reporter Charles Goldberg, Chizik's buyout without cause will be $10 million in 2011 and decreases each succeeding year. There are also some new bonus numbers in the contract.

Victories

Chizik gets $100,000 for 10, 11 or 12 wins in a season. Previously, he got $75,000 for 10 wins; $100,000 for 11 wins; $125,000 for 12 wins; $150,000 for 13 wins; or $200,000 for 14 wins.

SEC Championship Game

Chizik gets $50,000 for playing the SEC Championship Game, down from $100,000 in the old agreement. He receives $100,000 for winning the SEC Championship Game, down from $200,000.

Bowl Games

Chizik receives $50,000 for playing in a BCS non-national championship bowl and $100,000 for winning a BCS non-national championship bowl. Previously, he got $50,000 for playing in either a BCS or a non-BCS bowl.

National Championship

Chizik earns $200,000 for playing in the BCS Championship Game and $400,000 for winning it. In his old contract, he got $500,000 for winning the national title.

Bonuses for winning coach of the year are gone. Previously, he could get $100,000 for being named either SEC Coach of the Year or National Coach of the Year. Also gone is a $100,000 bonus for Auburn finishing in the final top 5 of either the Associated Press or USA Today coaches polls.